Master Thesis - Managing intellectual property (IP) when retrofitting legacy manual access product
Are you a master’s student within Engineering or Finance looking for an innovative company to collaborate with on your master’s thesis during the spring semester of 2026? Look no further.
ASSA ABLOY is the global leader in access solutions and provides the latest technologies to give access to physical and virtual spaces for millions of people every day. Joining ASSA ABLOY means being part of a fast-moving and highly innovative company with diverse opportunities in more than 70 countries worldwide.
What can you expect as a master’s thesis intern at ASSA ABLOY? Cutting edge technology, a steep learning curve, dedicated supervisors from within the enterprise, a group of fellow master's thesis students to share the experience with – and much more.
We have an exciting range of subjects. Please remember to indicate in your application if you're interested in other subjects as well and mark them in your order of preference. Please also let us know your thoughts on how you would approach the subject. Please note that most of your work will be done at one of our two sites in Stockholm.
While we aim to support all proposed thesis subjects, we may need to change or cancel a project due to unexpected circumstances.
Master thesis nr 1. Managing intellectual property (IP) when retrofitting legacy manual access products for use in digital ecosystems
This thesis explores how intellectual property (IP) is impacted when upgrading the installed base of legacy manual access systems from analog to digital, especially within a larger digital ecosystem. Using an ASSA ABLOY product line as a case study, the research will explore how ecosystem participation — involving technology partners, platform providers, and interoperability standards — influences IP risks, opportunities, and strategic decision-making.
Suggested Areas of Exploration:
-
What type of IP is generated or impacted when upgrading analog access systems with digital technologies in an ecosystem context?
-
How does participation in a digital ecosystem (e.g., integration with third-party platforms, standards, and data-sharing models) affect IP strategy and protection?
-
What are the key IP risks associated with ecosystem collaboration, and how can they be mitigated during retrofit projects?
Expected Student Capabilities and Prior Knowledge:
-
Understanding of digital ecosystems, including their characteristics, advantages, and limitations.
-
Knowledge of innovation strategies, and how businesses strategically use them.
-
Familiarity with the role of intellectual property protection in gaining competitive advantages.
-
Analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to dissect complex problems, assess information objectively, and propose solutions to identified challenges.
We Look Forward to Your Application!
Please include your CV, university transcripts, resumé and a short description of how you would approach this thesis topic.
We are the ASSA ABLOY Group
Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces – physical and virtual – safer, more secure, and easier to access.
As an employer, we value results – not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions – supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.
As we welcome new people on board, it’s important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.
Stockholm, SE, 111 64